Fletching system and method therefor

Abstract

A fletching system and method that allows for quick and easy attachment of a fletching member to an arrow or cross bolt shaft provides a slotted fletch holder adapted to receive a fletching member projecting therethrough and an external end cap member to provide frictional fit engagement with a flanged base portion of the fletching member wherein the flanged base portion is secured between the end cap member and an internal surface of a sidewall of the fletch holder.

1. A fletching system for use in association with an arrow shaft, the fletching system comprising:
 a fletch holder having at least one slot formed radially through a sidewall thereof; 
 an end cap member adapted for removable association with said fletch holder at an end thereof, said end cap member operable to compress said at least one slot when said end cap member is associated with said fletch holder; and 
 a nock adapted for association with said end cap member at an end thereof. 
 
     
     
       2. The fletching system of  claim 1 , wherein said slot is formed generally axially in said fletch holder. 
     
     
       3. The fletching system of  claim 1 , wherein said slot comprises a closed periphery disposed adjacent to or within flange means at a first end thereof and an opening disposed adjacent to or within flange means at a second end thereof. 
     
     
       4. The fletching system of  claim 1 , wherein said slot comprises a first portion having a first width adjacent to or proximate a first end of said fletch holder and a second portion having a second width adjacent to or proximate a second end of said fletch holder. 
     
     
       5. The fletching system of  claim 4 , wherein said second portion is disposed adjacent said first portion and proximate an end of said slot. 
     
     
       6. The fletching system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fletching member. 
     
     
       7. The fletching system of  claim 6 , wherein said fletching member comprises a generally planar body and a base portion. 
     
     
       8. The fletching system of  claim 7 , wherein said base portion has a width that is greater than a width of at least a portion of said slot. 
     
     
       9. The fletching system of  claim 6 , wherein said fletching member is disposed at least partially within said slot and extends therethrough. 
     
     
       10. The fletching system of  claim 9 , wherein said fletching member is removably retained within said slot by said base portion. 
     
     
       11. The fletching system of  claim 1 , wherein said end cap member is disposed proximate said slot. 
     
     
       12. The fletching system of  claim 1 , wherein said fletch holder is affixed to an end of an arrow shaft. 
     
     
       13. The fletching system of  claim 12  wherein said fletch holder is affixed to an end of an arrow shaft via one of either a press fit or cooperating threaded means. 
     
     
       14. The fletching system of  claim 1 , wherein said end cap member is attached at a first end via threads to an end of said fletch holder and at a second end to a press-fit nock. 
     
     
       15. The fletching system of  claim 1  wherein said slot is formed in one of a spiral configuration or a helical configuration. 
     
     
       16. A fletching system for an arrow comprising:
 (a.) a fletch holder having a recessed or hollow portion, and at least one slot running longitudinally therealong with respect to a long axis of the fletch holder; 
 (b.) the slot being open at a second end of the fletch holder; and 
 (c.) the fletch holder cooperatively affixed at the second end thereof to a first end of an end cap member, said end cap member operable to compress said at least one slot when said end cap member is affixed to said fletch holder; 
 (d.) the end cap member cooperatively affixed at the second end thereof to a nock; 
 whereby a fletching member may be captured and retained in a position projecting through the slot of the fletch holder by affixation of the end cap member to the fletch holder. 
 
     
     
       17. A method of attaching a fletching member to a fletch holder comprising the steps of:
 (a.) sliding a base portion of said fletching member through a slot formed through a sidewall of said fletch holder; and 
 (b.) affixing a first end of an end cap member to said fletch holder, said first end of said end cap member operable to compress said slot when said end cap member is affixed to said fletch holder, said end cap member cooperatively affixed at a second end thereof to a nock, such that said slot is disposed in frictional fit engagement with said base portion, thereby securely attaching said fletching member to said fletch holder. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of rotating said end cap member to increase a force component of said frictional fit engagement. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of removing the end cap member from said fletch holder by unscrewing the end cap member from an end of said fletch holder. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sliding step further includes sliding the base portion from an outside of said fletch holder through said slot to an interior of said fletch holder.